On Thursday 18 July a Perm magistrates’ court dismissed administrative charges against Perm Human Rights Centre for not registering as a ‘foreign agent’. During the court hearing Perm’s Lenin district prosecutor, Vladimir Rybailo, sought to quash the prosecutors’ decision that led to the charges being brought. However, Judge Svetlana Voitko nonetheless heard the case on its merits and dismissed the case brought by the Perm region Prosecutor’s Office on the grounds that there was no evidence of a violation by Perm Human Rights Centre.

‘The Court took a stand on a matter of principle and decided to issue a full judgment that will provide an interpretation of the law on "foreign agents",’ said Sergei Trutnev, a lawyer from Perm Human Rights Centre. ‘We can only welcome the ruling by Judge Svetlana Voitko because it is impossible for us to work in a situation of legal uncertainty. The courts in Perm region have demonstrated a serious, statesmanlike approach to their work and by their actions have put right the mistake committed by deputies of the State Duma and by the Prosecutor’s Office.’

The second court hearing scheduled for the same day was halted until the above ruling has entered into force. It will be recalled that the second court hearing was initiated by Perm Human Rights Centre itself to challenge the lawfulness of the decision by regional prosecutors that Perm Human Rights Centre should register as a ‘foreign agent’.